Arizona’s economy is booming, driven by healthcare, aerospace, and technology. If you’re considering a career move or planning your next educational step, knowing which fields pay the most can help you make informed, future-proof choices.

In this guide, we’ve ranked the 30 highest-paying jobs in Arizona using official data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), released in May 2024. These roles represent full-time, long-term professions across medicine, management, technology, and engineering.

Related: 25 Highest-Paying Trade Jobs in the U.S.

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What We Considered

This list includes jobs that meet the following criteria:

• Reported in the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for Arizona
• Ranked by annual mean wage (average, not median)
• Represent stable, full-time careers rather than short-term, academic, or gig roles
• Found in industries with consistent, long-term labor demand

Related: 30 Highest-Paying Careers in California

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Top 30 Highest-Paying Jobs in Arizona (By Average Salary)

Below are Arizona’s top-earning careers, ranked by their average annual salary as reported in May 2024. Note that “mean wage” refers to the average income across all workers in an occupation; actual salaries vary depending on experience, location, and employer.

1. Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric

Average Salary (AZ): $468,860
Pathway: Medical degree; orthopedic surgery residency
What They Do: Diagnose and treat injuries and disorders of the musculoskeletal system.

BLS Handbook: Physicians and Surgeons

2. Radiologists

Average Salary (AZ): $447,530
Pathway: Medical degree; radiology residency
What They Do: Use medical imaging to diagnose and treat diseases and injuries.

BLS Handbook: Physicians and Surgeons

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3. Surgeons, All Other

Average Salary (AZ): $432,580
Pathway: Medical degree; specialized surgical training
What They Do: Perform surgeries in specialized fields not otherwise categorized.

BLS Handbook: Physicians and Surgeons

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4. Family Medicine Physicians

Average Salary (AZ): $306,890
Pathway: Medical degree; family medicine residency
What They Do: Provide comprehensive primary care for individuals and families.

BLS Handbook: Physicians and Surgeons

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5. Obstetricians and Gynecologists

Average Salary (AZ): $300,640
Pathway: Medical degree; OB/GYN residency
What They Do: Provide medical and surgical care related to pregnancy and women’s reproductive health.

BLS Handbook: Physicians and Surgeons

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6. Neurologists

Average Salary (AZ): $298,450
Pathway: Medical degree; neurology residency
What They Do: Diagnose and treat disorders of the brain and nervous system.

BLS Handbook: Physicians and Surgeons

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7. Physicians, Pathologists

Average Salary (AZ): $294,760
Pathway: Medical degree; pathology residency
What They Do: Analyze body tissues and fluids to diagnose diseases.

BLS Handbook: Physicians and Surgeons

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8. Dentists, All Other Specialists

Average Salary (AZ): $258,450
Pathway: Dental degree; specialization certification
What They Do: Provide advanced dental treatments in areas such as prosthodontics or endodontics.

BLS Handbook: Dentists

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9. Psychiatrists

Average Salary (AZ): $251,020
Pathway: Medical degree; psychiatry residency
What They Do: Diagnose and treat mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders.

BLS Handbook: Physicians and Surgeons

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10. Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs)

Average Salary (AZ): $246,300
Pathway: Master’s or Doctor of Nursing Practice; CRNA certification
What They Do: Administer anesthesia and monitor patients during surgery.

BLS Handbook: Nurse Anesthetists

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11. Pediatricians, General

Average Salary (AZ): $241,970
Pathway: Medical degree; pediatric residency
What They Do: Provide healthcare for infants, children, and adolescents.

BLS Handbook: Physicians and Surgeons

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12. Physicians, All Other

Average Salary (AZ): $234,150
Pathway: Medical degree; medical specialty training
What They Do: Provide specialized medical care not classified elsewhere.

BLS Handbook: Physicians and Surgeons

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13. General Internal Medicine Physicians

Average Salary (AZ): $226,820
Pathway: Medical degree; internal medicine residency
What They Do: Provide long-term, comprehensive care to adults.

BLS Handbook: Physicians and Surgeons

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14. Chief Executives

Average Salary (AZ): $213,280
Pathway: Bachelor’s or master’s degree; extensive leadership experience
What They Do: Oversee strategic direction and overall management of organizations.

BLS Handbook: Top Executives

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15. Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers

Average Salary (AZ): $209,750
Pathway: Bachelor’s degree; FAA licensure and flight training
What They Do: Pilot and navigate aircraft while ensuring passenger safety.

BLS Handbook: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers

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16. Dentists, General

Average Salary (AZ): $201,240
Pathway: Dental degree; state licensure
What They Do: Diagnose and treat problems with patients’ teeth and gums.

BLS Handbook: Dentists

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17. Architectural and Engineering Managers

Average Salary (AZ): $197,440
Pathway: Bachelor’s in engineering or architecture; management experience
What They Do: Coordinate and oversee engineering or architectural projects.

BLS Handbook: Architectural and Engineering Managers

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18. Physicists

Average Salary (AZ): $188,610
Pathway: Ph.D. in physics or related field
What They Do: Conduct research and experiments to understand physical phenomena.

BLS Handbook: Physicists & Astronomers

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19. Computer and Information Systems Managers

Average Salary (AZ): $168,080
Pathway: Bachelor’s or master’s in IT or computer science
What They Do: Plan and direct computer-related activities and systems in organizations.

BLS Handbook: Computer and Information Systems Managers

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20. Lawyers

Average Salary (AZ): $161,480
Pathway: Juris Doctor (JD); state bar exam
What They Do: Represent clients in legal proceedings and advise on legal matters.

BLS Handbook: Lawyers

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21. Computer and Information Research Scientists

Average Salary (AZ): $158,100
Pathway: Master’s or Ph.D. in computer science
What They Do: Develop new computing technologies and solve complex data challenges.

BLS Handbook: Computer and Information Research Scientists

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22. Sales Managers

Average Salary (AZ): $157,320
Pathway: Bachelor’s degree; sales and leadership experience
What They Do: Direct teams and strategies to achieve revenue goals.

BLS Handbook: Sales Managers

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23. Computer Hardware Engineers

Average Salary (AZ): $155,730
Pathway: Bachelor’s in computer engineering or related field
What They Do: Design, test, and improve computer hardware systems.

BLS Handbook: Computer Hardware Engineers

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24. Financial Managers

Average Salary (AZ): $152,100
Pathway: Bachelor’s in finance or accounting; leadership experience
What They Do: Oversee budgets, investments, and financial reporting.

BLS Handbook: Financial Managers

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25. Marketing Managers

Average Salary (AZ): $151,660
Pathway: Bachelor’s in marketing or communications
What They Do: Plan and execute campaigns to build brand awareness and drive sales.

BLS Handbook: Advertising, Promotions, and Marketing Managers

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26. Human Resources Managers

Average Salary (AZ): $144,640
Pathway: Bachelor’s or master’s in HR or business
What They Do: Lead recruiting, employee relations, and organizational development.

BLS Handbook: Human Resources Managers

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27. Aerospace Engineers

Average Salary (AZ): $143,930
Pathway: Bachelor’s in aerospace or mechanical engineering
What They Do: Design and develop aircraft, spacecraft, and related systems.

BLS Handbook: Aerospace Engineers

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28. Industrial Production Managers

Average Salary (AZ): $142,060
Pathway: Bachelor’s in industrial engineering or business
What They Do: Oversee manufacturing processes to ensure efficiency and quality.

BLS Handbook: Industrial Production Managers

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29. Medical and Health Services Managers

Average Salary (AZ): $140,700
Pathway: Bachelor’s or master’s in healthcare administration or public health
What They Do: Coordinate medical services, operations, and staffing within healthcare facilities.

BLS Handbook: Medical and Health Services Managers

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30. Software Developers

Average Salary (AZ): $133,140
Pathway: Bachelor’s in computer science or software engineering
What They Do: Design and build computer applications and systems.

BLS Handbook: Software Developers, Quality Assurance Analysts, and Testers

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Salary Comparison Table

Occupation	Average Salary (AZ)
Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric	$468,860
Radiologists	$447,530
Surgeons, All Other	$432,580
Family Medicine Physicians	$306,890
Obstetricians and Gynecologists	$300,640
Neurologists	$298,450
Physicians, Pathologists	$294,760
Dentists, All Other Specialists	$258,450
Psychiatrists	$251,020
Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA)	$246,300
Pediatricians, General	$241,970
Physicians, All Other	$234,150
General Internal Medicine Physicians	$226,820
Chief Executives	$213,280
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers	$209,750
Dentists, General	$201,240
Architectural and Engineering Managers	$197,440
Physicists	$188,610
Computer and Information Systems Managers	$168,080
Lawyers	$161,480
Computer and Information Research Scientists	$158,100
Sales Managers	$157,320
Computer Hardware Engineers	$155,730
Financial Managers	$152,100
Marketing Managers	$151,660
Human Resources Managers	$144,640
Aerospace Engineers	$143,930
Industrial Production Managers	$142,060
Medical and Health Services Managers	$140,700
Software Developers	$133,140

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Final Thoughts

Arizona’s economy is growing fast and these highest-paying jobs in Arizona reflect where skill, education, and experience truly pay off. While healthcare continues to dominate, careers in management, technology, and engineering also offer lucrative paths for professionals who want long-term growth.

At Amtec, we’re committed to helping you take the next step in your career. Our job board may not include every role listed here, but it’s a great place to discover real opportunities that fit your skills and goals. Explore Jobs

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FAQs

What is the #1 highest-paying job in Arizona?

As of May 2024, Orthopedic Surgeons top the list with an average annual salary of $468,860.

Do all high-paying jobs in Arizona require a doctorate?

No. While many medical careers do, several others, like IT managers, software developers, and aerospace engineers, offer six-figure salaries with a bachelor’s degree and experience.

Which industries pay the most overall?

Healthcare leads, followed by technology, executive leadership, and aviation.

Where can I explore the full wage database?

Visit the official BLS source: https://data.bls.gov/oes/#/area/0400000